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Douglas County grants Verizon Wireless extra time to seek alternate cell-tower sites
Summary
The Board granted Verizon Wirelessa continuance of its appeal regarding a proposed 80-foot monopole at 1699 County Road, giving Verizon until on or before Oct. 1, 2026 to identify alternate sites and move through planning review. Public commenters and local advocacy groups urged more time to find a less controversial location.
The Douglas County Board voted unanimously on April 2 to continue Verizon Wireless's appeal of a planning-commission denial for an 80-foot monopole and associated equipment at 1699 County Road (DP24-0169). The continuance gives Verizon until on or before Oct. 1, 2026 to pursue alternate locations and, if it locates a suitable site, to withdraw the appeal and process design review for the new site.
Assistant planner Linda Doherty told the board Verizon has been evaluating other parcels, including a rooftop option at the former Ironwood theater and a parcel near Highway 88 and the Carson River roughly 918 feet from Highway 88 and County Road. "They have been pursuing other parcels," Doherty said, noting the company submitted a new design review for an alternate location and asked for time to process it through staff review rather than litigate.
Representatives from community groups and businesses spoke during public comment. Some business and safety advocates supported giving Verizon time to find a site acceptable to the community; neighborhood groups and daycare operators urged Verizon to avoid locations adjacent to schools, daycares or residential neighborhoods. Epic Wireless, representing Verizon, said the company aims to partner with the community and is open to a date-certain return before the board.
The board voted to continue the appeal on a motion that set an on-or-before deadline of Oct. 1, 2026. Commissioners noted that allowing Verizon to attempt to find alternate sites may avoid federal litigation under communications statutes and that continued dialogue could produce an acceptable outcome.
